Filed pursuant to Rule 497
Registration Statement No. 333-155806

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 12, 2010

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated May 1, 2009)

           Shares

 

Main Street Capital Corporation

Common Stock

 

 

We are offering for sale           shares of our common stock. We are a principal investment firm focused on providing customized debt and equity financing to lower middle-market companies that operate in diverse industries. We seek to fill the current financing gap for lower middle-market businesses, which have more limited access to financing from commercial banks and other traditional sources. Given the current credit environment, we believe the limited access to financing for lower middle-market companies is even more pronounced.

 

Our principal investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-related investments, including warrants, convertible securities and other rights to acquire equity securities in a portfolio company. We are an internally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MAIN.” On January 11, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $16.05 per share.

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk, and should be considered highly speculative. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider, including the risk of leverage, before investing in our common stock.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information about us that a prospective investor should know before investing in our common stock. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before investing and keep them for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 77056 or by telephone at (713) 350-6000 or on our website at www.mainstcapital.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information.

 

 

 

 

The underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional           shares of common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement solely to cover any over-allotments. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total public offering price will be $     , and the total underwriting discount (5.0%) will be $      . The proceeds to us would be $     , before deducting estimated expenses payable by us of $200,000.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about January   , 2010.

 

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is January   , 2010

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THE PROSPECTUS

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more information. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized any other person to provide you with different information from that contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of our common stock by any person in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful for that person to make such an offer or solicitation or to any person in any jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is complete and accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of their delivery or sale of our common stock. This prospectus supplement supersedes the accompanying prospectus to the extent it contains information different from or additional to the information in that prospectus.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. The matters described in “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and certain other factors noted throughout this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to any such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

Common stock offered by us		shares
Common stock outstanding prior to this offering		12,082,142 shares (including 1,239,695 shares of common stock issued in connection with the Exchange Offer and approximately 93,000 shares issued under our dividend reinvestment plan in the fourth quarter of 2009)
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering		shares
Over-allotment option		shares
Use of proceeds		The net proceeds from this offering (without exercise of the over-allotment option and before deducting estimated expenses payable by us of approximately $200,000) will be $      .
		We intend to use approximately $12 million of the net proceeds from this offering to repay outstanding debt borrowed under our $30 million investment credit facility to fund capital commitments to MSC II assumed by MSCC in the Exchange Offer, and we intend to use the remaining net proceeds from this offering to make investments in lower middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, pay our operating expenses and other cash obligations and for general corporate purposes. Pending such uses, we may invest the net proceeds of this offering primarily in marketable securities and idle funds investments, which may include investments in secured intermediate term bank debt and high quality debt investments, consistent with our business development company (“BDC”) election and our election to be taxed as a regulated investment company (“RIC”). See “Regulation — Regulation as a Business Development Company — Idle Funds Investments” in the accompanying prospectus.
Dividends and distributions		Our dividends and other distributions, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors from time to time.
		Our ability to declare dividends depends on our earnings, our overall financial condition (including our liquidity position), maintenance of our RIC status and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time. From our IPO through the third quarter of 2008 we paid quarterly dividends, but in the fourth quarter of 2008 we began paying, and we intend to continue paying, monthly dividends to our stockholders.
		In December 2009, we declared monthly dividends of $0.125 per share for each of January, February and March 2010. These monthly dividends equate to a total of $0.375 per share for the first quarter of 2010 representing an annualized dividend yield of approximately 9.3% based on the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 11, 2010. Because the record date for the January 2010 dividend is prior to the date of this offering, investors who purchase shares of our common stock in this offering will not be entitled to receive such

		dividend. However, investors who purchase shares of common stock in this offering will be entitled to receive the February 2010 monthly dividend and subsequent monthly dividends provided that they continue to hold such shares.
Taxation		MSCC has elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Accordingly, we generally will not pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To maintain our RIC tax treatment, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any.
		Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such taxable income. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.
Risk factors		See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of risks you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.
Nasdaq Global Select Market symbol		“MAIN”

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

Stockholder Transaction Expenses:
Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)			5.0	%(1)
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)				%(2)
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses			—	(3)
Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)				%
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
Operating expenses			4.46	%(4)
Interest payments on borrowed funds			5.50	%(5)
Total annual expenses			9.96	%(6)

(1)		Represents the underwriting discount with respect to the shares sold by us in this offering.
(2)		The offering expenses of this offering are estimated to be approximately $200,000. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, the offering expenses borne by us (as a percentage of the offering price) will be approximately     %.
(3)		The expenses of administering our dividend reinvestment plan are included in operating expenses.

(4)		Operating expenses represent the estimated annual expenses of MSCC and its pro forma consolidated subsidiaries, including MSC II. There is a 12% minority ownership interest in MSC II not held by MSCC or its subsidiaries. The ratio of operating expenses to net assets, net of the expenses related to the minority interest in MSC II, would be 4.26%.
(5)		Interest payments on borrowed funds represent our estimated annual interest payments on borrowed funds.
(6)		The total annual expenses are the sum of operating expenses and interest payments on borrowed funds. In the future we may borrow money to leverage our net assets and increase our total assets.

		1 Year				3 Years				5 Years				10 Years
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return		$	172			$	360			$	530			$	882

 

The net proceeds from the sale of the           shares of common stock in this offering are $     , and $      if the underwriter’s over-allotment option is exercised in full, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses of approximately $200,000 payable by us.

 

We intend to use approximately $12 million of the net proceeds from this offering to repay outstanding debt borrowed under our $30 million investment credit facility to fund capital commitments to MSC II assumed by MSCC in connection with the Exchange Offer in order to comply with SBA regulatory requirements. We intend to use any remaining net proceeds from this offering to make investments in lower middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, pay our operating expenses and other cash obligations and for general corporate purposes. Pending such uses, we may invest the net proceeds of this offering primarily in marketable securities and idle funds investments, which may include investments in secured intermediate term bank debt and high quality debt investments, consistent with our BDC election and our election to be taxed as a RIC. See “Regulation — Regulation as a Business Development Company — Idle Funds Investments” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

At January 12, 2010, we had approximately $12 million outstanding under our $30 million investment credit facility. Our investment credit facility matures on October 24, 2011, unless extended, and bears interest, at our election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the applicable LIBOR rate plus 2.75% or (ii) the applicable base rate plus 0.75%. Amounts repaid under our $30 million investment credit facility will remain available for future borrowings.

 

Affiliates of BB&T Capital Markets, an underwriter in this offering, act as lenders and/or agents under our $30 million investment credit facility. As described above, we intend to use net proceeds of this offering to repay the outstanding indebtedness under this credit facility, and those affiliates therefore may receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering through the repayment of those borrowings. See “Underwriting — Affiliations” below.

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization:

 

 

 

This table should be read in conjunction with “Interim Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Interim Financial Statements,” “Audited and Interim Financial Statements of Main Street Capital II, LP” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements” in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

The following tables set forth unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data that illustrate the effect of the Exchange Offer, and related transactions, on Main Street’s financial position and results of operations based upon the companies’ respective historical financial positions and results of operations under the acquisition method of accounting with Main Street treated as the acquirer. Under this method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of MSC II will be recorded by Main Street at their estimated fair values as of the date of the Exchange Offer. The unaudited selected pro forma combined financial data of Main Street and MSC II has been derived from the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2009 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2009. For more information regarding the pro forma financial data, please refer to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and the related footnotes included in this prospectus supplement. The pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2009 assumes the Exchange Offer and related transactions took place on that date. The pro forma condensed combined statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2008 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 assume the Exchange Offer and related transactions took place on January 1, 2008.

 

The unaudited selected pro forma combined financial data should be read together with the historical consolidated financial statements of Main Street, the historical combined financial statements of MSC II and the general partner of MSC II and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements, and the related footnotes to those financial statements, included in this prospectus. The unaudited selected pro forma combined financial data is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the operating results or financial position of Main Street or MSC II would have been had the Exchange Offer and related transactions been completed at the beginning of the periods or on the dates indicated, nor are they necessarily indicative of any future operating results or financial position.

 

 

The selected financial data below reflects the combined operations of the Fund and the General Partner for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and the consolidated operations of Main Street and its subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009. The selected financial data does not reflect Main Street’s acquisition of a majority interest in MSC II in connection with the Exchange Offer given that it occurred after the periods presented. See “Unaudited Selected Pro Forma Combined Financial Data,” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements” in this prospectus supplement for an illustration of the effect of the Exchange Offer and related transactions on Main Street’s financial position and results of operations. The selected financial data at December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, have been derived from combined/consolidated financial statements that have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The selected financial data at December 31, 2004 has been derived from unaudited combined financial statements. The selected financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, and as of September 30, 2008 and 2009, has been derived from unaudited financial data but, in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the results for such interim periods. Interim results as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. You should read this selected financial data in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Senior Securities” and the financial statements and related notes thereto in the accompanying prospectus and “Interim Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Interim Financial Statements” in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated          , 2010, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. is acting as representative, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, the number of shares of common stock indicated below:

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common stock offered hereby are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are severally obligated to take and pay for all shares of common stock offered hereby (other than those covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below) if any such shares are taken. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MAIN.”

 

Over-Allotment Option

 

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an aggregate of          additional shares of common stock at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof, less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock offered hereby. To the extent such option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such additional shares of common stock as the number set forth next to such underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares set forth next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

We, and certain of our executive officers and directors, have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to issue, sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, transfer, grant any option to purchase, establish an open put equivalent position or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of our common stock or any right to acquire shares of our common stock, for 60 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to extension upon material announcements or earnings releases. The representative, at any time and without notice, may release all or any portion of the common stock subject to the foregoing lock-up agreements.

 

Underwriting Discounts

 

The underwriters initially propose to offer the shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $      per share below the public offering price. Any underwriters may allow, and such dealers may re-allow, a concession not in excess of $      per share to other underwriters or to certain dealers. After the initial public offering of the shares, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the underwriters.

The following table provides information regarding the per share and total underwriting discount that we are to pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to           additional shares from us.

 

 

We will pay all expenses incident to the offering and sale of shares of our common stock by us in this offering. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting discount will be approximately $200,000.

 

A prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more of the underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representative may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for the sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. The representative may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders.

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

 

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. An over-allotment involves syndicate sales of shares in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

 

Stabilizing transactions consist of some bids or purchases of shares of our common stock made for the purpose of preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the shares while the offering is in progress.

 

In addition, the underwriters may impose penalty bids, under which they may reclaim the selling concession from a syndicate member when the shares of our common stock originally sold by that syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing transaction or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

 

Similar to other purchase transactions, these activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the common stock or preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. Except for the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering, the underwriters may carry out these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

Neither the underwriters nor we make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the shares. In addition, neither the underwriters nor we make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Passive Market Making Pursuant to Regulation M

 

In connection with this transaction, the underwriters may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, prior to the pricing and completion of this offering. Passive market making is permitted by SEC Regulation M and consists of displaying bids on the Nasdaq Global Select Market no higher than the bid prices of independent market makers and making purchases at prices no higher than these independent bids and effected in response to order flow. Net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are limited to a specified percentage of the passive market maker’s average daily trading volume in our common stock during a specified period and must be discontinued when such

limit is reached. Passive market making may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of such transactions.

 

Affiliations

 

An affiliate of BB&T Capital Markets, an underwriter in this offering, is a lender and administrative agent under our $30 million investment credit facility. As described above under “Use of Proceeds,” we intend to use net proceeds of this offering to repay the outstanding indebtedness under this credit facility and those affiliates therefore may receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering through the repayment of those borrowings.

 

The underwriters and/or their affiliates from time to time provide and may in the future provide investment banking, commercial banking and financial advisory services to us, for which they have received and may receive customary compensation.

 

In addition, the underwriters and/or their affiliates may from time to time refer investment banking clients to us as potential portfolio investments. If we invest in those clients, we may utilize net proceeds from this offering to fund such investments, and the referring underwriter or its affiliate may receive placement fees from its client in connection with such financing, which placement fees may be paid out of the amount funded by us.

 

The addresses of the underwriters are: Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc., 50 N. Front St., 19th Floor, Memphis, Tennessee 38103; BB&T Capital Markets, 909 E. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219; Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., 520 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10022; Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, 1801 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103; and Madison Williams and Company LLC, 527 Madison Ave, New York, New York 10022.

 

Certain legal matters regarding the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Washington D.C., and certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, Memphis, Tennessee.

 

The consolidated financial statements, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and Schedule 12-14 of Main Street Capital Corporation as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and for the two years then ended, the combined financial statements of Main Street Mezzanine Fund, LP and Main Street Mezzanine Management, LLC as of December 31, 2006 and for the year then ended, the “Senior Securities” table, and the combined financial statements of Main Street Capital II, LP and Main Street Capital II GP, LLC as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and for the two years then ended included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been so included in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to our shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. The registration statement contains additional information about us and our shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus supplement.

 

We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Interim Financial Statements” in this prospectus supplement.

 

Statements we make in the following discussion which express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, could differ materially from those we express in the following discussion as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks and uncertainties we have referred to under the headings “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

ORGANIZATION

 

Main Street Capital Corporation (“MSCC”) was formed on March 9, 2007 for the purpose of (i) acquiring 100% of the equity interests of Main Street Mezzanine Fund, LP (the “Fund”) and its general partner, Main Street Mezzanine Management, LLC (the “General Partner”), (ii) acquiring 100% of the equity interests of Main Street Capital Partners, LLC (the “Investment Manager”), (iii) raising capital in an initial public offering, which was completed in October 2007 (the “IPO”), and (iv) thereafter operating as an internally managed business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The transactions discussed above were consummated in October 2007 and are collectively termed the “Formation Transactions.” Immediately following the Formation Transactions, Main Street Equity Interests, Inc. (“MSEI”) was formed as a wholly owned consolidated subsidiary of MSCC. MSEI has elected for tax purposes to be treated as a taxable entity and is taxed at normal corporate tax rates based on its taxable income. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “Main Street” refer to MSCC and its subsidiaries, including the Fund, the General Partner and MSEI.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are a principal investment firm focused on providing customized debt and equity financing to lower middle-market companies, which we generally define as companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $100 million that operate in diverse industries. We invest primarily in secured debt instruments, equity investments, warrants and other securities of lower middle-market companies based in the United States. Our principal investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-related investments, including warrants, convertible securities and other rights to acquire equity securities in a portfolio company. Our core portfolio investments generally range in size from $2 million to $15 million.

 

Our investments are generally made through both MSCC and the Fund. Since the IPO, MSCC and the Fund have co-invested in substantially every investment we have made. MSCC and the Fund share the same investment strategies and criteria in the lower middle-market, although they are subject to different regulatory regimes. An investor’s return in MSCC will depend, in part, on the Fund’s investment returns as the Fund is a wholly owned subsidiary of MSCC.

 

We seek to fill the current financing gap for lower middle-market businesses, which, historically, have had limited access to financing from commercial banks and other traditional sources. Given the current credit environment, we believe the limited access to financing for lower middle market companies is even more pronounced. The underserved nature of the lower middle market creates the opportunity for us to meet the financing needs of lower middle-market companies while also negotiating favorable transaction terms and equity participations. Our ability to invest across a company’s capital structure, from senior secured loans to equity securities, allows us to offer portfolio companies a comprehensive suite of financing solutions, or “one stop” financing. Providing customized, “one stop” financing solutions has become even more relevant to our portfolio companies in the current credit environment. We generally seek to partner directly with entrepreneurs, management teams and business owners in making our investments. Main Street believes that its core investment strategy has a lower correlation to the broader debt and equity markets.

The level of new portfolio investment activity will fluctuate from period to period based upon our view of the current economic fundamentals, our ability to identify new investment opportunities that meet our investment criteria, and our ability to consummate identified opportunities. The level of new investment activity, and associated interest and fee income, will directly impact future investment income. In addition, the level of dividends paid by portfolio companies and the portion of our portfolio debt investments on non-accrual status will directly impact future investment income. While we intend to grow our portfolio and our investment income over the long-term, our growth and our operating results may be more limited during depressed economic periods. However, we intend to appropriately manage our cost structure and liquidity position based on applicable economic conditions and our investment outlook. The level of realized gains or losses and unrealized appreciation or depreciation will also fluctuate depending upon portfolio activity and the performance of our individual portfolio companies. The changes in realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation or depreciation could have a material impact on our operating results.

 

During 2008, we paid approximately $1.425 per share in dividends. Through the first nine months of 2009, we paid monthly dividends totaling $1.125 per share. In September 2009, we declared monthly dividends for the fourth quarter of 2009 totaling $0.375 per share. Including the dividends declared for the fourth quarter of 2009, we will have paid approximately $3.26 per share in cumulative dividends since our October 2007 initial public offering. For tax purposes, the monthly dividend paid in January 2009 was applied against the 2008 taxable income distribution requirements since it was declared and accrued prior to December 31, 2008. Excluding the impact for the tax treatment of the January 2009 dividend, we estimate that we generated undistributed taxable income (or “spillover income”) of approximately $4 million, or $0.43 per share, during 2008 that was carried forward toward distributions paid in 2009. For the 2009 calendar year, we will have paid dividends of $1.50 per share representing an increase of 5.3% over the total dividends per share paid during calendar year 2008.

 

During June 2009, Main Street completed a follow-on public stock offering consisting of the sale of 1,437,500 shares of common stock, including the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option, resulting in total net proceeds of approximately $16.2 million, after deducting underwriters’ commissions and offering costs.

 

At September 30, 2009, we had $48.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and idle funds investments. During October 2008, we closed a $30 million multi-year investment line of credit. Due to our existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and idle fund investments, and available leverage, we expect to have sufficient cash resources to support our investment and operational activities for the remainder of 2009 and through most of calendar year 2010. However, this projection will be impacted by, among other things, the pace of new and follow-on investments, debt repayments and investment redemptions, the level of cash flow from operations and cash flow from realized gains, and the level of dividends we pay in cash.

 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enacted in February 2009 (the “Stimulus Bill”) contains several provisions applicable to SBIC funds, including the Fund, our wholly owned subsidiary. One of the key SBIC-related provisions included in the Stimulus Bill increased the maximum amount of combined SBIC leverage (or SBIC leverage cap) to $225 million for affiliated SBIC funds. The prior maximum amount of SBIC leverage available to affiliated SBIC funds was approximately $137 million, as adjusted annually based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index. Due to the increase in the maximum amount of SBIC leverage available to affiliated SBIC funds, we now have access to incremental SBIC leverage to support our future investment activities. Since the increase in the SBIC leverage cap applies to affiliated SBIC funds, we will allocate such increased borrowing capacity between the Fund and Main Street Capital II, LP (“MSC II”), an independently owned SBIC that is managed by the Investment Manager and therefore deemed to be affiliated for SBIC regulatory purposes. For more discussion of MSC II, please refer below to the section titled “MSC II Exchange Offer”. Exclusive of the SBIC leverage available to MSC II, we estimate that we have access to at least $65 million of the additional SBIC leverage from the Stimulus Bill subject to the required capitalization of the Fund.

In our view, the SBIC leverage, including the increased capacity, remains a strategic advantage due to its long-term, flexible structure and a low fixed cost. The SBIC leverage also provides proper matching of duration and cost compared with our core portfolio investments. The weighted average duration of our core portfolio debt investments is approximately 3.1 years compared to a weighted average duration of 5.7 years for our SBIC leverage. Approximately 87% of core portfolio debt investments bear interest at fixed rates which is also appropriately matched by the long-term, low cost fixed rates available through our SBIC leverage. In addition, we believe the embedded value of our SBIC leverage would be significant if we adopted the fair value option provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification” or “ASC”) 825, Financial Instruments, relating to accounting for debt obligations at their fair value.

 

MSC II Exchange Offer

 

On September 23, 2009, we commenced a formal offer to exchange (the “Offer”) shares of our common stock for at least a majority of the limited partner interests in MSC II. MSC II is an independently owned investment fund that operates as an SBIC and commenced operations in January 2006. MSC II has access to long-term, low-cost leverage through its participation in the SBIC program and is managed by the Investment Manager. The Offer is only being made for MSC II limited partner interests that are not owned by affiliates of Main Street, including any officers or directors of Main Street. Pursuant to the terms of the Offer, it is contemplated that the general partner of MSC II will also be assumed by us for no consideration. The Offer is subject to various conditions and approvals, including but not limited to approval by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The initial offer period expired on October 23, 2009 and approximately 78% of the total dollar value of the MSC II limited partner interests had made an election to participate in the Offer during the initial offer period. Since the required approval from SBA had not been received at the end of the initial offer period and certain other conditions had not been satisfied, the Offer was extended for an additional 30-day period to end on November 23, 2009. The maximum number of shares of Main Street common stock that may be issued pursuant to the Offer would total approximately 1.3 million shares. Owning a majority of MSC II will provide us with access to additional long-term leverage capacity through the SBIC program, and we currently project that consummation of the Offer will be accretive to our calendar year 2010 distributable net investment income per share.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the consolidated financial statements of Main Street include the accounts of MSCC, the Fund, MSEI and the General Partner. The Investment Manager is accounted for as a portfolio investment. “Marketable securities and idle funds investments” are classified as financial instruments and are reported separately on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Schedule of Investments due to the nature of such investments. To allow for more relevant disclosure of our “core” investment portfolio, “core” portfolio investments, as used herein, refers to all of our portfolio investments excluding the Investment Manager and “Marketable securities and idle funds investments.” Main Street’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and financial positions as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are presented on a consolidated basis. The effects of all intercompany transactions between Main Street and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Main Street are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements of Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP are omitted. In the opinion of our management, the unaudited consolidated financial results included herein contain all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim periods included herein.

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year. Also, the unaudited financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2008. Financial statements prepared on a U.S. GAAP basis require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

 

Under the investment company rules and regulations pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation S-X and the Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the “AICPA Guide”), we are precluded from consolidating portfolio company investments, including those in which we have a controlling interest, unless the portfolio company is another investment company. An exception to this general principle in the AICPA Guide occurs if we own a controlled operating company that provides all or substantially all of its services directly to us, or to an investment company of ours. None of the investments made by us qualify for this exception. Therefore, our portfolio investments are carried on the balance sheet at fair value, as discussed further in Note B to our consolidated financial statements, with any adjustments to fair value recognized as “Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) from Investments” on our Statement of Operations until the investment is disposed of, resulting in any gain or loss on exit being recognized as a “Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Investments.”

 

Portfolio Investment Valuation

 

The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is the valuation of our portfolio investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, approximately 73% and 74%, respectively, of our total assets represented investments in portfolio companies valued at fair value (including the investment in the Investment Manager). We are required to report our investments at fair value. We adopted the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures in the first quarter of 2008. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.

 

Our core business plan calls for us to invest primarily in illiquid securities issued by private companies. These core portfolio investments may be subject to restrictions on resale and will generally have no established trading market. As a result, we determine in good faith the fair value of our portfolio investments pursuant to a valuation policy in accordance with ASC 820 and a valuation process approved by our Board of Directors and in accordance with the 1940 Act. We review external events, including private mergers, sales and acquisitions involving comparable companies, and include these events in the valuation process. Our valuation policy and process are intended to provide a consistent basis for determining the fair value of the portfolio.

 

For valuation purposes, control investments are composed of equity and debt securities for which we have a controlling interest in the portfolio company or have the ability to nominate a majority of the portfolio company’s board of directors. Market quotations are generally not readily available for our control investments. As a result, we determine the fair value of control investments using a combination of market and income approaches. Under the market approach, we will typically use the enterprise value methodology to determine the fair value of these investments. The enterprise value is the fair value at which an enterprise could be sold in a transaction between two willing parties, other than through a forced or liquidation sale. Typically, private companies are bought and sold based on multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, cash flows, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. There is no single methodology for estimating enterprise value. For any one portfolio company, enterprise value is generally described as a range of values from which a single estimate of enterprise value is derived. In estimating the enterprise value of a portfolio company, we analyze various factors, including the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results. We allocate the enterprise value to investments in order of the legal priority of the investments. We will also use the income approach to determine the fair value of these securities, based on projections of the discounted future free cash flows that the portfolio company or the debt security will likely generate. The valuation approaches for our control investments estimate the value of the

investment if we were to sell, or exit, the investment, assuming the highest and best use of the investment by market participants. In addition, these valuation approaches consider the value associated with our ability to control the capital structure of the portfolio company, as well as the timing of a potential exit.

 

For valuation purposes, non-control investments are composed of debt and equity securities for which we do not have a controlling interest in the portfolio company, or the ability to nominate a majority of the portfolio company’s board of directors. Market quotations for our non-control investments are generally not readily available. For our non-control investments, we use a combination of the market and income approaches to value our equity investments and the income approach to value our debt instruments. For non-control debt investments, we determine the fair value primarily using a yield approach that analyzes the discounted cash flows of interest and principal for the debt security, as set forth in the associated loan agreements, as well as the financial position and credit risk of each of these portfolio investments. Our estimate of the expected repayment date of a debt security is generally the legal maturity date of the instrument, as we generally intend to hold our loans to maturity. The yield analysis considers changes in leverage levels, credit quality, portfolio company performance and other factors. We will use the value determined by the yield analysis as the fair value for that security; however, because of our general intent to hold our loans to maturity, the fair value will not exceed the face amount of the debt security. A change in the assumptions that we use to estimate the fair value of our debt securities using the yield analysis could have a material impact on the determination of fair value. If there is deterioration in credit quality or a debt security is in workout status, we may consider other factors in determining the fair value of a debt security, including the value attributable to the debt security from the enterprise value of the portfolio company or the proceeds that would be received in a liquidation analysis.

 

Due to the inherent uncertainty in the valuation process, our estimate of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment, portfolio company performance and other events that may occur over the lives of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be materially different than the valuations currently assigned. We determine the fair value of each individual investment and record changes in fair value as unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Interest and Dividend Income

 

We record interest and dividend income on the accrual basis to the extent amounts are expected to be collected. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution. In accordance with our valuation policy, we evaluate accrued interest and dividend income periodically for collectability. When a loan or debt security becomes 90 days or more past due, and if we otherwise do not expect the debtor to be able to service all of its debt or other obligations, we will generally place the loan or debt security on non-accrual status and cease recognizing interest income on that loan or debt security until the borrower has demonstrated the ability and intent to pay contractual amounts due. If a loan or debt security’s status significantly improves regarding ability to service the debt or other obligations, or if a loan or debt security is fully impaired, sold or written off, we will remove it from non-accrual status.

 

Fee Income

 

We may periodically provide services, including structuring and advisory services, to our portfolio companies. For services that are separately identifiable and evidence exists to substantiate fair value, income is recognized as earned, which is generally when the investment or other applicable transaction closes. Fees received in connection with debt financing transactions for services that do not meet these criteria are treated as debt origination fees and are accreted into interest income over the life of the financing.

Payment-in-Kind (“PIK”) Interest

 

While not significant to our total core debt investment portfolio, we currently hold several loans in our core portfolio that contain PIK interest provisions. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To maintain regulated investment company (“RIC”) tax treatment (as discussed below), this non-cash source of income will need to be paid out to stockholders in the form of distributions, even though we may not have collected the PIK interest in cash. We will stop accruing PIK interest and write off any accrued and uncollected interest when it is determined that PIK interest is no longer collectible.

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

We account for our share-based compensation plans using the fair value method, as prescribed by ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. Accordingly, for restricted stock awards, we measured the grant date fair value based upon the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant and will amortize this fair value to share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period or vesting term.

 

Income Taxes

 

MSCC has elected and intends to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and, among other things, intends to make the required distributions to our stockholders as specified therein. As a RIC, we generally will not pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such taxable income.

 

MSCC’s wholly owned subsidiary, MSEI, is a taxable entity which holds certain of our core portfolio investments. MSEI is consolidated for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes, and the core portfolio investments held by MSEI are included in our consolidated financial statements. The principal purpose of MSEI is to permit us to hold equity investments in portfolio companies which are “pass through” entities for tax purposes in order to comply with the “source income” requirements contained in the RIC tax provisions. MSEI is not consolidated with Main Street for income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense or income tax benefit as a result of MSEI’s ownership of certain core portfolio investments. This income tax expense or benefit, if any, is reflected in our consolidated statement of operations.

 

MSEI uses the liability method in accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, using statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

CORE PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Core portfolio investments principally consist of secured debt, equity warrants and direct equity investments in privately held companies. The core debt investments are secured by either a first or second lien on the assets of the portfolio company, generally bear interest at fixed rates, and generally mature between five and seven years from the original investment. In most portfolio companies, we also receive nominally priced equity warrants and/or make direct equity investments, usually in connection with a debt investment.

 

The Investment Manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of MSCC. However, the Investment Manager is accounted for as a portfolio investment of Main Street, since it conducts a significant portion of its investment management activities outside of MSCC and its subsidiaries. To allow for more relevant disclosure of our core investment portfolio, our investment in the Investment Manager has been excluded from the tables and amounts set forth below.

Summaries of the composition of our core investment portfolio at cost and fair value as a percentage of total core portfolio investments are shown in the following table:

 

 

 

The following table shows the core portfolio composition by geographic region of the United States at cost and fair value as a percentage of total core portfolio investments. The geographic composition is determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio company:

 

 

Main Street’s core portfolio investments are generally in lower middle-market companies conducting business in a variety of industries. Set forth below are tables showing the composition of Main Street’s core portfolio by industry at cost and fair value as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

Our core portfolio investments carry a number of risks including, but not limited to: (1) investing in lower middle-market companies which may have a limited operating history and financial resources; (2) holding investments that are not publicly traded and which may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale; and (3) other risks common to investing in below investment grade debt and equity investments in private, lower middle-market companies.

 

CORE PORTFOLIO ASSET QUALITY

 

We utilize an internally developed investment rating system to rate the performance of each core portfolio company. Investment Rating 1 represents a portfolio company that is performing in a manner which significantly exceeds expectations and projections. Investment Rating 2 represents a portfolio company that, in general, is performing above expectations. Investment Rating 3 represents a portfolio company that is generally performing in accordance with expectations. Investment Rating 4 represents a portfolio company that is underperforming expectations. Investments with such a rating require increased Main Street monitoring and scrutiny. Investment Rating 5 represents a portfolio company that is significantly underperforming. Investments with such a rating require heightened levels of Main Street monitoring and scrutiny and involve the recognition of significant unrealized depreciation on such investment. All new core portfolio investments receive an initial 3 rating.

The following table shows the distribution of our core investments on our 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

 

Based upon our investment rating system, the weighted average rating of our core portfolio as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was approximately 2.4. As of September 30, 2009, we had three investments on non-accrual status. These investments comprised approximately 2.6% of the core investment portfolio at fair value as of September 30, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, we had one investment on non-accrual status. This investment comprised approximately 0.5% of the core investment portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2008.

 

In the event that the United States economy remains depressed, it is likely that the financial results of small- to mid-sized companies, like those in which we invest, could experience deterioration or limited growth from current levels, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting their debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. In addition, the end markets for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services have experienced negative economic trends. We are seeing reduced operating results at several portfolio companies due to the general economic difficulties. We expect the trend of reduced operating results to continue into early 2010. Consequently, we can provide no assurance that the performance of certain of our portfolio companies will not be negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which could also have a negative impact on our future results.

 

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations

 

Comparison of three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, total investment income was $4.5 million, representing a 1% increase compared with the corresponding period of 2008. Total investment income for the third quarter of 2009 included higher interest income from marketable securities and idle funds investments, primarily offset by reduced levels of fee income. During the third quarter of 2009, Main Street received a $0.9 million special dividend on a portfolio company investment compared to approximately $1.0 million of dividend income in the corresponding period of 2008 on several portfolio company equity investments.

 

Expenses

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, expenses totaled $1.9 million, a 3% decrease over total expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in total expenses was primarily attributable to a $0.1 million decrease in general, administrative and other overhead expenses, offset by a $0.1 million increase in share-based compensation expense related to non-cash amortization for restricted share grants. The reduction in general, administrative and overhead costs primarily related to (i) external consulting fees received by the affiliated Investment Manager during the third quarter of 2009 and (ii) reduced costs for certain legal and administrative activities based upon developing internal resources to perform such activities.

 

Distributable Net Investment Income

 

Distributable net investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $3.0 million, or a 5% increase, compared to distributable net investment income of $2.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in distributable net investment income was primarily attributable to a higher

level of investment income and lower general, administrative and overhead expenses. Distributable net investment income on a per share basis decreased to $0.28 per share in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $0.31 per share in the corresponding period of 2008 due to a greater number of average shares outstanding in the current period.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $2.6 million, or a 4% increase compared to net investment income for the corresponding period of 2008. The increase in net investment income was principally attributable to a higher level of total investment income and lower general, administrative and overhead expenses as discussed above.

 

Distributable Net Realized Income

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2009, distributable net realized income was $3.2 million, or a 56% decrease over the distributable net realized income of $7.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2008. This comparable period decrease was primarily attributable to a higher level of third quarter 2008 net realized gain related to the exit of several portfolio company investments. The net realized gain for the three months ended September 30, 2009 principally related to $0.2 million in realized gain from marketable securities investments.

 

Net Realized Income

 

The lower net realized gain during the three months ended September 30, 2009 resulted in a $4.0 million, or 59%, decrease in net realized income for the third quarter of 2009 compared with the corresponding period in 2008.

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a net change in unrealized appreciation in the amount of $2.9 million, or a $7.0 million increase, compared to the $4.1 million net change in unrealized depreciation for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The $2.9 million net change in unrealized appreciation for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was principally attributable to (i) unrealized appreciation on eleven investments in portfolio companies totaling $5.6 million, partially offset by unrealized depreciation on eight investments in portfolio companies totaling $2.7 million, (ii) unrealized appreciation of $0.4 million from marketable securities investments and (ii) $0.4 million in unrealized depreciation attributable to our investment in the affiliated Investment Manager. For the third quarter of 2009, we also recognized a net income tax benefit of $1.3 million principally related to deferred taxes on unrealized depreciation on certain portfolio investments held in our taxable subsidiary.

 

As a result of these events, our net increase in net assets resulting from operations during the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $7.0 million compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Comparison of Nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total investment income was $11.7 million, a $0.9 million, or 8%, decrease over the $12.6 million of total investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This comparable period decrease was principally attributable to (i) lower dividend income of $0.7 million

due to certain portfolio companies retaining their excess cash flow as additional cushion given reduced economic visibility and lower near-term earnings expectations and (ii) reduced levels of fee income due to lower new investment originations; partially offset by higher interest income from marketable securities and idle funds investments on higher average levels of such investments.

 

Expenses

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, expenses totaled $5.0 million, a 1% decrease, over the $5.0 million of total expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in total expenses was primarily attributable to a $0.6 million reduction in general, administrative and other overhead expenses. The reduction in general, administrative and overhead costs primarily related to (i) lower accrued compensation expense given lower investment income levels, (ii) consulting fees received by the affiliated Investment Manager during the first nine months of 2009 and (iii) reduced costs for certain legal and administrative activities based upon developing internal resources to perform such activities. The decrease in general, administrative and other overhead expenses was partially offset by (i) a $0.5 million increase in share-based compensation expense related to non-cash amortization for restricted share grants, and (ii) a $0.1 million increase in interest expense principally related to unused commitment and other fees from the $30 million investment credit facility entered into on October 24, 2008.

 

Distributable Net Investment Income

 

Distributable net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $7.5 million, or a 6% decrease, compared to distributable net investment income of $7.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in distributable net investment income was primarily attributable to reduced levels of total investment income, partially offset by lower general, administrative and overhead expenses as discussed above.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $6.7 million, or a 12% decrease, compared to net investment income of $7.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in net investment income was principally attributable to the decrease in total investment income, partially offset by lower general, administrative and overhead expenses as discussed above.

 

Distributable Net Realized Income

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, distributable net realized income was $9.0 million, or a 31% decrease, compared to distributable net realized income of $12.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in distributable net realized income was primarily attributable to a higher level of net realized gain related to the exit of several portfolio company investments and the decrease in distributable net investment income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the net realized gain from investments was $1.5 million compared to net realized gain of $5.0 million for the corresponding period in 2008. The net realized gain during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 principally included a $0.7 million realized gain related to the partial exit of our equity investments in one portfolio company and $0.6 million in net realized gains related to marketable securities investments.

 

Net Realized Income

 

The lower net investment income and the lower net realized gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, resulted in a $4.4 million, or 35%, decrease in the net realized income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared with the corresponding period in 2008.

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a net change in unrealized appreciation in the amount of $1.3 million, or a $5.9 million increase, compared to the $4.6 million net change in

unrealized depreciation for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The $1.3 million net change in unrealized appreciation for the first nine months of 2009 was principally attributable to (i) $1.0 million in accounting reversals of net unrealized appreciation attributable to the total net realized gain on the exit of the portfolio equity investments and marketable securities investments discussed above, (ii) unrealized appreciation on thirteen investments in portfolio companies totaling $9.9 million, partially offset by unrealized depreciation on thirteen investments in portfolio companies totaling $7.6 million, (iii) $0.3 million in unrealized appreciation related to marketable securities investments and (iv) $0.3 million in unrealized depreciation attributable to our investment in the affiliated Investment Manager. For the first nine months of 2009, we also recognized a net income tax benefit of $0.8 million principally related to deferred taxes on unrealized depreciation on certain portfolio investments held in our taxable subsidiary.

 

As a result of these events, our net increase in net assets resulting from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $10.3 million compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flows

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we experienced a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $27.2 million. During that period, we generated $4.6 million of cash from our operating activities, primarily from distributable net investment income partially offset by (i) the semi-annual interest payments on our SBIC debentures, (ii) decreases in accounts payable, and (iii) non-cash interest and dividends. We used $37.8 million in net cash from investing activities, principally including the funding of $72.9 million for marketable securities and idle funds investments and the funding of $16.5 million for new core portfolio company investments, partially offset by $44.0 million of cash proceeds from the sale of marketable securities and idle funds investments and $7.6 million in cash proceeds from the repayment of core portfolio debt investments. During the first nine months of 2009, $6.1 million in cash was provided by financing activities, which principally consisted of $16.2 million in net cash proceeds from a public stock offering, partially offset by $8.5 million in cash dividends to stockholders and $1.6 million in purchases of shares of our common stock as part of our share repurchase program.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $5.0 million. During that period, we generated $7.1 million of cash from our operating activities, primarily from distributable net investment income partially offset by the semi-annual interest payments on our SBIC debentures. We also generated $7.7 million in net cash from investing activities, principally including proceeds from the maturity of a $24.1 million investment in idle funds investments, $10.7 million in cash proceeds from repayment of core portfolio debt investments and $7.4 million of cash proceeds from the redemption and sale of core portfolio equity investments, partially offset by the funding of new core portfolio investments and several smaller follow-on investments totaling $34.5 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we used $9.8 million in cash for financing activities, which principally consisted of cash dividends to stockholders.

 

Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2009, we had $48.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and idle funds investments, and our net assets totaled $129.1 million, or $12.01 per share. In June 2009, we completed a follow-on public stock offering in which we sold 1,437,500 shares of common stock, including the underwriters’ exercise of the over-allotment option, at a price to the public of $12.10 per share, resulting in total net proceeds of approximately $16.2 million, after deducting underwriters’ commissions and offering costs.

 

On October 24, 2008, Main Street entered into a $30 million, three-year investment credit facility (the “Investment Facility”) with Branch Banking and Trust Company (“BB&T”) and Compass Bank, as lenders, and BB&T, as administrative agent for the lenders. The purpose of the Investment Facility is to provide additional liquidity in support of future investment and operational activities. The Investment Facility allows

for an increase in the total size of the facility up to $75 million, subject to certain conditions, and has a maturity date of October 24, 2011. Borrowings under the Investment Facility bear interest, subject to Main Street’s election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the applicable LIBOR rate plus 2.75% or (ii) the applicable base rate plus 0.75%. Main Street pays unused commitment fees of 0.375% per annum on the average unused lender commitments under the Investment Facility. The Investment Facility contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to: (i) maintaining a minimum liquidity of not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding, (ii) maintaining an interest coverage ratio of at least 2.0 to 1.0, and (iii) maintaining a minimum tangible net worth. At September 30, 2009, Main Street had no borrowings outstanding under the Investment Facility, and Main Street was in compliance with all covenants of the Investment Facility.

 

Due to the Fund’s status as a licensed SBIC, we have the ability to issue, through the Fund, debentures guaranteed by the SBA at favorable interest rates. Under the regulations applicable to SBIC funds, an SBIC can have outstanding debentures guaranteed by the SBA generally in an amount up to twice its regulatory capital, which effectively approximate the amount of its equity capital. Debentures guaranteed by the SBA have fixed interest rates that equal prevailing 10-year Treasury Note rates plus a market spread and have a maturity of ten years with interest payable semi-annually. The principal amount of the debentures is not required to be paid before maturity but may be pre-paid at any time. Debentures issued prior to September 2006 were subject to pre-payment penalties during their first five years. Those pre-payment penalties no longer apply to debentures issued after September 1, 2006. On September 30, 2009, we, through the Fund, had $55 million of outstanding indebtedness guaranteed by the SBA, which carried an average fixed interest rate of approximately 5.8%. The first maturity related to the SBIC debentures does not occur until 2013, and the weighted average duration is 5.7 years as of September 30, 2009.

 

The Stimulus Bill contains several provisions applicable to SBIC funds, including the Fund, our wholly owned subsidiary. One of the key SBIC-related provisions included in the Stimulus Bill increased the maximum amount of combined SBIC leverage (or SBIC leverage cap) to $225 million for affiliated SBIC funds. The prior maximum amount of SBIC leverage available to affiliated SBIC funds was approximately $137 million, as adjusted annually based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index. Due to the increase in the maximum amount of SBIC leverage available to affiliated SBIC funds, we now have access to incremental SBIC leverage to support our future investment activities. Since the increase in the SBIC leverage cap applies to affiliated SBIC funds, we will allocate such increased borrowing capacity between the Fund and MSC II, an independently owned SBIC that is managed by the Investment Manager and therefore deemed to be affiliated for SBIC regulatory purposes. For more discussion of MSC II, please refer above to the section titled “MSC II Exchange Offer”. Exclusive of the SBIC leverage available to MSC II, we estimate that we have access to at least $65 million of the additional SBIC leverage from the Stimulus Bill subject to the required capitalization of the Fund.

 

Due to our existing cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and idle funds investments and the available borrowing capacity through both the SBIC program and the Investment Facility, we project that we will have sufficient liquidity to fund our investment and operational activities for the remainder of 2009 and through most of calendar year 2010. However, this projection will be impacted by, among other things, the pace of new and follow-on investments, debt repayments and investment redemptions, the level of cash flow from operations and cash flow from realized gains, and the level of dividends we pay in cash. We anticipate that we will continue to fund our investment activities through existing cash and cash equivalents, the liquidation of marketable securities, and idle funds investments, and a combination of future debt and equity capital.

 

We intend to generate additional cash from future offerings of securities, future borrowings, repayments or sales of investments, and cash flow from operations, including income earned from investments in our portfolio companies and, to a lesser extent, from the liquidation of marketable securities and idle funds investments. Our primary uses of funds will be investments in portfolio companies, operating expenses and cash distributions to holders of our common stock.

We periodically invest excess cash balances into marketable securities and idle funds investments. The investment objective of marketable securities and idle funds investments is to generate incremental cash returns on excess cash balances prior to utilizing those funds for investment in our core portfolio investment strategy. Marketable securities and idle funds investments generally consist of secured debt investments, certificates of deposit with financial institutions, and diversified bond funds. The composition of marketable securities and idle funds investments will vary in a given period based upon, among other things, changes in market conditions, the underlying fundamentals in our marketable securities and idle funds investments, our outlook regarding future core portfolio investment needs, and any regulatory requirements applicable to Main Street.

 

If our common stock trades below our net asset value per share, we will generally not be able to issue additional common stock at the market price unless our stockholders approve such a sale and our Board of Directors makes certain determinations. A proposal, approved by our stockholders at our June 2009 annual meeting of stockholders, authorizes us to sell shares of our common stock below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock in one or more offerings for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 11, 2010 or the date of our 2010 annual meeting of stockholders. We would need approval of a similar proposal by our stockholders to issue shares below the then current net asset value per share any time after the expiration of the current approval.

 

In order to satisfy the Code requirements applicable to a RIC, we intend to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our taxable income, but we may also elect to periodically spillover certain excess undistributed taxable income from one tax year into the next tax year. In addition, as a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities, which include borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow. In January 2008, we received exemptive relief from the SEC that permits us to exclude SBA-guaranteed debt issued by the Fund from our asset coverage ratio, which, in turn, enables us to fund more investments with debt capital. Subsequent to consummation of the exchange offer for a majority of the limited partner interests in MSC II, we expect to seek similar relief to exclude SBA-guaranteed debt issued by MSC II from our asset coverage ratio.

 

On December 31, 2007, we entered into a treasury-based credit facility (the “Treasury Facility”) with Wachovia Bank, National Association and BB&T, as administrative agent for the lenders. The purpose of the Treasury Facility was to provide flexibility in the sizing of core portfolio investments and to facilitate the growth of our core investment portfolio. However, due to the maturation of our core investment portfolio and the additional flexibility provided by the Investment Facility, we unilaterally terminated the Treasury Facility on July 10, 2009 in order to eliminate the unused commitment fees that would have been paid under this facility over its remaining term.

 

Current Market Conditions

 

The broader economic fundamentals of the United States economy remain at depressed levels. Unemployment levels remain elevated and consumer fundamentals remain depressed, which has led to significant reductions in spending by both consumers and businesses.

 

Although we have been able to secure access to additional liquidity, including our recent public stock offering, the $30 million Investment Facility, and the increase in available leverage through the SBIC program as part of the Stimulus Bill, there is no assurance that debt or equity capital will be available to us in the future on favorable terms, or at all.

 

The deterioration in consumer confidence and a general reduction in spending by both consumers and businesses has had an adverse effect on a number of the industries in which some of our portfolio companies operate. The results of some of the lower middle-market companies like those in which we invest, may continue to experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting their debt service requirements and an increase in their defaults. In addition, the end markets for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services have experienced negative economic trends. We can provide no assurance that the performance of our portfolio companies will not be negatively impacted by economic or other conditions, which could have a negative impact on our future results.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In June 2008, the FASB amended ASC 260, Earnings Per Share with ASC 260-10-45-61A which addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share (“EPS”). ASC 260-10-45-61A is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. All prior-period EPS data presented has been adjusted retrospectively (including interim financial statements, summaries of earnings, and selected financial data) to conform to the amended provisions of ASC 260. Early application is not permitted. We have determined that shares of restricted stock granted to our employees and directors are participating securities prior to vesting. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, 292,058 and 255,645 shares, respectively, of non-vested restricted stock have been included in our basic and diluted EPS computations.

 

In October 2008, the FASB amended ASC 820 with ASC 820-10-35-15A, Financial Assets in a Market That Is Not Active , to provide an illustrative example of how to determine the fair value of a financial asset in an inactive market. ASC 820-10-35-15A does not change the fair value measurement principles previously set forth. Since adopting ASC 820 in January 2008, our practices for determining the fair value of our investment portfolio and financial instruments have been, and continue to be, consistent with the guidance provided in ASC 820-10-35-15A. Therefore, our adoption of the update did not affect our practices for determining the fair value of our investment portfolio and financial instruments, and our adoption did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In April 2009, the FASB amended ASC 820 and ASC 825 with ASC 820-10-35, Subsequent Measurement, and ASC 825-10-65, Transition and Open Effective Date Information. Both amendments are effective for reporting periods ending on or after June 15, 2009. Since adopting ASC 820 and ASC 825 in January 2008, our practices for determining fair value and for disclosures about the fair value of our investment portfolio and financial instruments have been, and continue to be, consistent with the guidance provided in the amended pronouncements. Therefore, our adoption of these updates did not affect our practices for determining the fair value of our investment portfolio and financial instruments, and our adoption did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2009, the FASB amended ASC 855, Subsequent Events with ASC 855-10-50, Disclosure , which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. ASC 855-10-50 includes a new required disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and is effective for interim periods or fiscal years ending after June 15, 2009. Our adoption of ASC 855-10-50 did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles , which became the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental U.S. GAAP, other than rules and interpretive releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Codification reorganized the literature and changed the naming mechanism by which topics are referenced. ASC 105 was effective for us during our interim period ended September 30, 2009. As required, references to pre-codification accounting literature have been changed throughout this prospectus supplement to appropriately reference the Codification. Our accounting policies and amounts presented in the financial statements were not impacted by this change.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation has not had a significant effect on our results of operations in any of the reporting periods presented in this prospectus supplement. However, our portfolio companies have experienced, and may in the future experience, the impacts of inflation on their operating results, including periodic escalations in their costs for raw materials and required energy consumption.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We may be a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. These instruments include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of liquidity and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. At September 30, 2009, we had two outstanding commitments to fund unused revolving loans for up to $900,000 in total.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2009, our future fixed commitments for cash payments on contractual obligations for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

 

 

MSCC is obligated to make payments under a support services agreement with the Investment Manager. Subsequent to the completion of the Formation Transactions and the IPO, the Investment Manager is reimbursed for its excess cash expenses associated with providing investment management and other services to MSCC and its subsidiaries, as well as MSC II and other third parties. Each quarter, as part of the support services agreement, MSCC makes payments to cover all cash expenses incurred by the Investment Manager, less the recurring management fees that the Investment Manager receives from MSC II pursuant to a long-term investment advisory services agreement and any other fees received from third parties for providing external services.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

We co-invested with MSC II in several existing core portfolio investments prior to the IPO, but did not co-invest with MSC II subsequent to the IPO and prior to June 2008. In June 2008, we received exemptive relief from the SEC to allow us to resume co-investing with MSC II in accordance with the terms of such exemptive relief. MSC II is managed by the Investment Manager, and the Investment Manager is wholly owned by MSCC. MSC II is an SBIC fund with similar investment objectives to Main Street and which began its investment operations in January 2006. The co-investments among Main Street and MSC II had all been made at the same time and on the same terms and conditions. The co-investments were also made in accordance with the Investment Manager’s conflicts policy and in accordance with the applicable SBIC conflict of interest regulations. See “Prospectus Summary — Recent Developments — The Exchange Offer” for a discussion of the consummation of the Exchange Offer and related transactions.

 

As discussed further in Note D to the accompanying consolidated financials statements, subsequent to the completion of the Formation Transactions, the Investment Manager is a wholly owned portfolio company of Main Street. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Investment Manager had a receivable of $212,349 and $302,633, respectively, with MSCC related to cash expenses incurred by the Investment Manager required to support Main Street’s business.

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORPORATION